READ: 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
KEY THOUGHT:
Paul’s message to the Thessalonians is a reminder of what they already knew but were easily distracted from – the return of Jesus Christ was a certain thing.Paul warned that as that day approaches the world would become more dangerous with greater unbelief and rebellion against God. The certainty of Christ’s near return is evidenced through the testimony of unbelievers as they promote more wickedness and broader acceptance of ungodly behavior.
Paul’s message is frightening to those who are straddling the fence between belief and unbelief. It exposes the coming new world order that will be instituted by Satan. We can look around at the world today and see signs of this happening. The world is growing darker and scarier. If you’re a believer, then you need to strengthen your faith to stand firm as light and salt to draw the lost to Christ. If you’re on the fence between unbelief and belief, you should feel an urgency to believe and trust Christ for salvation and security and be separated from the testimony of unbelief in the world today.
CONSIDER:
- How do you know that Jesus is returning?
- What can you do while you wait for Jesus to return?
- How can you help those who don’t believe in Christ and are in danger of God’s judgment?
APPLICATION:
Help lead others to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ before it’s too late!
